No ultrasounds during my last trimester

[Anonymous]

My insurance only pays for one, around 20 weeks. I did that plus we paid out of pocket for an earlier one to do the nuchal fold screening (around 10 weeks). It's not a big deal at all not to have any after 20 weeks -- I know lots of moms who did that.

[Anonymous]

I have had 4 U/s - one at 6 weeks, 8 weeks, 9 or 10 weeks and 20 weeks. The 1st two u/s were done in my reproductive endo drs office not at an u/s lab so I am not sure how they were billed. The 3rd was done at my 1st OB apt in office since they could not hear the heartbeat with the doppler again not sure how that was billed. I am now 36 weeks along and have not had any others as everything is normal.

Like others have said:
1. most insurance companies need a medical reason to pay for an additional u/s.

2. There are some practices in the NoVa area that have the u/s (low level) machines in their offices and do an u/s at every visit. Detail is not as good as the 20 week u/s.

If you are very nervous you can always try that 3D/4D ultrasounds. I have heard that they are only about $100-$200 and you get photos and possibly a video. On the flip side, the FDA has recently warned against the use of too many medically unnecessary ultrasounds and does not recommend that people get these 3d/4d ultrasounds.

[Anonymous]

I'm 36 weeks and will have had 5 by the time this pregnancy is over -- 9 weeks (to confirm pregnancy/HB), 13 weeks (NT scan), 20 weeks (anatomy scan), 34 weeks (suspected breech presentation), and 37 weeks (to confirm whether still in breech presentation). They are all covered by insurance (Carefirst BCBS), as they are all deemed "medically necessary" (the 13 week b/c I'm 35).

[Anonymous]

I think it's pretty normal not to do last-trimester ultrasounds unless there is a problem. I'm with Kaiser and they don't do them. I was a little disappointed because I wanted to "see" the baby again, but it was no biggie. The other tests the doctors do (checking your cervix, measuring the size of the fundus, urine testing, BP checking) should help pinpoint any problems.

to the earlier poster who suggested amnio, she's way outside the window for amnio, and you don't do an invasive test with minor miscarriage risk unless you have good reason.

here's an idea: if you really want a third-trimester ultrasound, you could probably pay for it yourself. My 20-week was $450, and there are plenty of radiology places who would do it if your doctor was ok with it.